The more Huang Jing thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, a slight flush of excitement rising on her face.

The Youth-Retaining Pill might actually exist. That meant she might actually be able to acquire one. Twenty years of preserved youth—for a woman, maintaining her appearance for two decades—what an immense blessing that would be.

“Lijuan, based on everything you’ve told me, I’d say I have a seventy percent certainty that your classmate really possesses the Youth-Retaining Pill!”

Huang Jing turned back, reining in the excitement surging within her, and spoke softly to Ren Lijuan.

To keep one’s youthful appearance and skin for twenty years without the need for any cosmetics—this was something that could drive any woman wild. To put it mildly, for some women, they would willingly surrender themselves in bed for the chance to trade for such a pill.

Of course, this was only some women. Huang Jing thought this, but it didn't apply to her.

She was willing to pay for it with money—no amount of money would be too much, as long as it remained within her capacity, she would trade anything to secure one.

“Sister Jing, how do you know these things? And how can you be so certain that such a miraculous pill capable of preserving one’s looks actually exists in this world?”

Ren Lijuan, by contrast, had calmed down. She questioned Huang Jing, finding her friend’s intense reaction today somewhat strange.

Now composed, Ren Lijuan felt a fresh wave of doubt about the pill’s efficacy. It sounded too fantastical, making it hard to believe.

Huang Jing offered a graceful smile. Her skin was exquisite, and the smile only amplified her beauty, making even Ren Lijuan feel a pang of jealousy.

“Lijuan, actually, my family used to be like that too—a lineage that cultivated Inner Strength. Unfortunately, our family fortunes declined; by my grandfather’s generation, no one could manifest Inner Strength anymore. Grandfather switched to business, slowly accumulating the wealth we have now!”

Huang Jing spoke as Ren Lijuan nodded lightly.

Ren Lijuan knew a little about Huang Jing’s background. Huang Jing wasn't actually from the mainland; she had grown up in Canada, where her grandfather had moved years ago to establish their current enterprise.

Moreover, the Huang family was the largest shareholder in this chain of five-star hotels, alongside the Ren and Li families.

The Ren and Huang families had known each other for years, though Ren Lijuan had grown up domestically. Her uncles and elder male cousins, however, had established careers overseas. They too were a family of commerce, though her own father held a position in the bureaucratic system.

Her father’s official rank wasn’t as high as Zhang Keqin’s, but it was substantial and held real authority. In this era, if you wanted to build a large and lasting business in the mainland, having allies in the political sphere was absolutely essential.

This confirmed that Zhang Yang’s earlier assumptions were perfectly sound—Ren Lijuan interning at her own family’s hotel and easily securing a manager position made complete sense.

Huang Jing continued, “Although our Huang family could no longer cultivate, we retained many ancient texts. Therefore, we know many hidden secrets. Many of these old books mentioned spiritual elixirs and marvelous medicines. Legend says some spiritual elixirs can resurrect the dead and mend broken bones; even if not that exaggerated, spiritual elixirs are far superior to ordinary medicine in healing ailments!”

Seeing Ren Lijuan’s eyes widen in astonishment, Huang Jing smiled and added, “And the Youth-Retaining Pill—that’s a type of marvelous medicine. This pill can preserve one's appearance for at least twenty years, but its formulation is incredibly difficult, and it has been lost to time for ages. That’s why your mention of the Youth-Retaining Pill immediately caught my attention!”

Ren Lijuan instinctively nodded. “I see. According to what you’re saying, Zhang Yang might very well be one of those ‘cultivators’ you mentioned?”

“Inner Strength Cultivators!” Huang Jing corrected her. “If he formulated these pills himself, then the probability of him being an Inner Strength Cultivator is very high!”

“Inner Strength Cultivators—are they incredibly powerful? Like the martial arts masters from legends?”

Ren Lijuan looked up again, asking with intense curiosity. Huang Jing’s words had opened a door to something entirely new to her; everyone feels curiosity towards the novel.

Huang Jing nodded again, speaking softly, “Yes. Inner Strength is divided into four layers. A first-layer cultivator is already more formidable than a special forces soldier. At the second layer, both speed and physical constitution are drastically enhanced, granting not only the ability to scale walls but also immense strength. If one reaches the third layer, they become even more formidable. Legend says a third-layer cultivator can circulate their Inner Strength over their skin, making them impervious to blades and weaponry—in my reading of old descriptions, ordinary bullets might pose little threat to a third-layer master!”

“Just the third layer, and they aren't afraid of bullets?”

Ren Lijuan exclaimed. Inner Strength Cultivators, the four layers—this was all astonishingly new information to her.

“What do you mean, ‘just’ the third layer? Do you know how difficult it is to reach the third layer of Inner Strength? Many people spend their entire lives attempting it and never succeed, and by then, they are already quite old!”

Huang Jing shot her a playful, chiding glance, a hint of different, captivating allure surfacing in her expression.

Even Ren Lijuan, a fellow woman, paused for a moment, slightly mesmerized.

Huang Jing continued, “That a third-layer master isn’t afraid of bullets is my speculation. They are safe when prepared. I suspect it only applies to standard ammunition; high-caliber armor-piercing rounds, or perhaps artillery, could still harm them!”

“What about the fourth layer?”

Ren Lijuan pressed, as Huang Jing was unfolding a new world before her—a world that now consumed her curiosity.

“The fourth layer—they can be considered the absolute pinnacle. A fourth-layer master can project their Inner Strength externally, killing from a distance without visible means. The force of their projected Inner Strength is enormous; an ordinary person like us would die instantly upon contact!”

After a moment’s thought, Huang Jing added this last detail.

The ancestral texts held few records of the power of fourth-layer masters; such experts were exceedingly rare. Furthermore, the Huang family hadn't produced a fourth-layer master in many generations, which was why their lineage had broken off, unable even to produce a basic cultivator.

“That’s incredible! I wonder what layer Zhang Yang is at,” Ren Lijuan murmured, looking upward, lost in thought. Seeing her expression, Huang Jing shook her head again.

“Lijuan, regardless of Zhang Yang’s layer, if he is an Inner Strength Cultivator, he must come from an extraordinary background. Inner Strength Cultivators do marry into ordinary families, but their requirements are extremely strict. A family like yours does not meet their selection criteria!”

Huang Jing was exceptionally sharp; Ren Lijuan’s subtle musings could not escape her notice.

However, she was also acutely aware of the rigid standards for spouses among Inner Strength Cultivators. They preferred girls from common backgrounds to minimize complications. On this point alone, Ren Lijuan did not qualify.

“What are you talking about!”

Ren Lijuan’s face flushed crimson. She grabbed Huang Jing’s arm, speaking in a tone of playful protest, but this pretense only made Huang Jing see the situation more clearly.

Sighing softly, Huang Jing continued, “Actually, Xiao He is a very good man. Aside from his modest family background, he is genuinely devoted to you. Judging by my ability to read people, Xiao He is certainly destined for great things in the future. You two being together would be a match made in heaven!”

Huang Jing knew about Xiao He’s existence; even Ren Lijuan’s father was aware of him.

Xiao He hadn't graduated yet, but the Ren family had long known about his affections for Ren Lijuan and had subjected him to rigorous background checks.

The final assessment had greatly satisfied the Ren family: Xiao He was highly capable, a true talent. A person like that, given opportunity, would undoubtedly rise.

The Ren family would not reject a true talent. In fact, provided Ren Lijuan agreed, the chances of them getting together were very high.

“I know, but I’m not thinking about that right now,” Ren Lijuan replied faintly. Huang Jing looked at her and shook her head, letting the topic rest.

Glancing at the time, Huang Jing decided to leave the office. She had originally intended to buy three Youth-Retaining Pills from Zhang Yang, but that idiot Li Hua had caused a mess. She needed to find Zhang Yang and figure out a way to purchase them again.

The Youth-Retaining Pill—she was determined to acquire it.

Inside the hotel’s largest conference room, capable of holding three hundred people, Zhang Yang was seated.

On the main stage, several leaders were delivering speeches, nothing more than typical bureaucratic rhetoric that made those listening long for sleep, yet they were obliged to attend.

This event was an evaluation activity, different from the previous exchange meeting. The exchange allowed participants to showcase themselves; this time, there was nothing to display—everything was based on comprehensive assessment of past performance before handing out trophies to ensure everyone left happy.

Zhang Yang hadn't planned to attend this event unless Zhu Daoqi had specifically called him.

While the speakers droned on, far across the room from Zhang Yang, one person kept glancing over toward his section.

His gaze held a touch of resentment, mixed with an inexplicable smugness.

Zhang Yang had noticed him the first time he turned his head. No matter who they were, anyone who stared at him continuously could not escape his awareness. Aside from this man, several others had looked his way too.

But the others’ looks were mostly born of curiosity; only this man’s gaze was different.

Furthermore, Zhang Yang wasn't unfamiliar with this individual. He was Wang Jinhui from Jinling University. During the last exchange meeting, Jinling University had been openly hostile toward their institution, and this man was a notorious rival of Dean Zhu.

The tedious speeches finally concluded, marking the end of the morning session.

The morning had been reserved for speeches; the afternoon would begin with the awards ceremony, followed by a half-day dedicated to the presentation, and then three full days of free activity.

Free activity, frankly, meant allowing people a few days to enjoy themselves. Hangcheng was a tourist city with countless attractions.

After receiving an award, one could travel on the public purse—it was no wonder many people actively sought to participate in such events; it was essentially a subsidized vacation.

“Mr. Zhang!”

As soon as he stepped out of the conference room, two beautiful girls intercepted him. Huang Jing had been waiting for him for a long time.

“Miss Huang, what brings you here?”

Zhang Yang looked at them with slight surprise, then his expression settled into one of understanding. He knew perfectly well why Huang Jing was present—she was a woman utterly unable to resist the lure of the Youth-Retaining Pill.

“Mr. Zhang, would you honor me by joining me for lunch? I have something very important I need to discuss with you!”

Huang Jing spoke softly, her demeanor impeccable, her eyes shining with intense yearning as she talked.

“If you have business, you should go ahead. Just make sure you’re back this afternoon!”

Zhang Yang turned slightly to look at Zhu Daoqi, who vigorously waved his hand and spoke to Zhang Yang with a grin.

As he spoke, his expression held a hint of strangeness, darting glances between Huang Jing and Ren Lijuan, looking barely able to suppress the lecherous expression of a middle-aged uncle.